Two

"I should have known it would be you. No one else could be so absorbed with accepting written word as law and being as unwilling to step outside the book and think for herself as you!" Severus would never admit that he was happy to see her, that he was glad she was working with him again.

"I do believe you are just upset that I am your superior within the Department, Severus," she teased as she squeezed his hand. "And yes, it is quite lovely to see you again as well. The last two years away from Hogwarts have done me well, thank you very much for asking. And yes, I am quite proud of my accomplishments."

"Do remember that we are at Hogwarts now. You are MY assistant here, regardless of what you do at the Department."

"Yes, yes, quite right. I am simply here to assist you in your research. The Department would be most interested in your complete success in this project. The current results show much promise and can currently protect against 22% of Imperius curses and reduce the effects of the Cruciatus by 17%. If we can find some way of boosting these results, we will be able to save many lives. Of course, should you find the formula that does this, the Department will allow you the right to claim credit and publish the modified reports."

"That is acceptable."

After a long pause where both Severus and Hermione stood there waiting for the other to say something, they both tried speaking at the same time. Hermione motioned for Severus to continue.

"I was just going to ask how you've been. Your letters the last few months have been all work. How are your parents?"

"Oh, quite well, thanks. My mum says hello and wanted me to tell you she will be sending some fresh biscuits to you in a few days to thank you for the Pepper Up potion you sent her. Thank you again for doing that. I was so busy taking care of the arrangements to leave London I didn't have a chance to get any brewing done, and her schedule was so full there was no way she could take time off to deal with that cold."

"Not a problem. I was making Madam Pomfrey a batch for the Infirmary at the time, so it was rather easy to take a few doses out for her."

"Right, well, thanks. It saved me loads of time. Roger was being a complete ninny about me leaving London. Like we can't just Apparate to each other within a few minutes. I still think he did something to my boxes. Every time I had the last box packed, I would find the first box had unpacked itself."

"You are still seeing that idiot? I thought you would have gotten over your obsession with Quidditch players."

"I do believe you are one to talk. Have I not seen you in the papers escorting none other than Gwenog Jones?"

"Ms. Jones and I are merely friends, as if it were any of your business," he sniffed.

"Ah, but of course. And to answer your question, yes, I am still seeing Roger. I think."

"You think? How can you only think and not be sure?"

"Like I said, he was being a complete ninny. He may be taking my last comment a bit seriously at the moment."

"And what was your last comment to him?"

"Oh, I am not sure exactly. Something about rearranging the location of his testicles if he interfered with my packing one more time. I can't say that I have seen or heard from him in the week since then."

"You only threatened him with a hex? He should be glad he got away with just that. I seem to recall Mr. Malfoy whinging incessantly about your right hook. Wipe that grin off your face, Miss Granger. Gryffindors shouldn't smirk so."

"I was just remembering the feeling of the Ferret's perfect little nose breaking. Have I ever told you that is one of my top three favourite moments in life?"

"Yes, I do recall that list. Quite a Slytherin list, you know. Breaking a nose, killing a Dark Lord, and discovering you make more money than Ronald Weasley, former Professional Quidditch player, current Auror-in-Training, and ex-fiancé."

"Oh, I have a new favourite, to replace the last."

"Do you now? I'd love to hear the updated list."

"Discovering that as Head Researcher, Department of Mysteries, I have in my power the right to commandeer any Ministry employee for experimentation, with proper Obliviation to follow if necessary. And I see your eyes lighting up at that. It is quite a marvellous privilege, don't you agree? Any Ministry employee..."

"How wondrous that Mr. Weasley is now a Ministry employee, don't you agree?"

"Oh, quite. I must say it does amazing things to one's constitution to know that should someone annoy me, I can ensure that they will never do so again. I do believe I quite understand what you Slytherins enjoy so much about power. It is a beautiful feeling to be in charge."

"Say no more. My life's work is complete. I have finally and quite thoroughly corrupted the Gryffindor Princess, the innocent third of the Golden Trio, and I may now die with a smirk on my face."

"Don't be silly. We must first find some way of rubbing it in Ron's and Harry's faces. Then you may die with a smirk on your face."

"Ah, just so."

"And you must wait until the very moment after we complete this project. That way you can do all the work, and I can get all the credit."

"Of course. It is only fitting that I turn all my hard work over to you. Tell me, do you plan on finding some way of getting me to leave all of my possessions to you as well?"

"I have plenty of time to manoeuvre that, I believe. Perhaps if I am lucky I will find a way to get someone fabulously wealthy to leave all their money to you first. I'd hate to be stuck with just debts from your estate."

"Well, I shall try to be accommodating to your machinations. Please give me notice of the exact moment you wish me to die so I can carry my Remembrall with me. I'd hate to be late."

"But of course. I'd be happy to give you advance notice. I wouldn't want good ol' Gwenog stuck without a date to the next charity auction."

"How truly kind of you. Shall I call you the Dark Lady now?"

"I do so doubt I will be dark. Besides, I look terrible in black. Perhaps I should honour my Weasley past and go with Scarlet?"

"The Scarlet Lady? Are you sure you wish to be known as such?"

"I'm already known as such, so I might as well make it official."

"That is quite true."

Another long pause in the conversation, but this time it was far from the uncomfortable silence of before. Hermione looked to Severus and smiled. "I am glad I came back. I work better when I can discuss my ideas with you. Besides, Roger never understood my humour. It is nice being able to talk without worrying whether I am offending someone."

"I can understand the appeal. I will admit that you have not been the annoying know-it-all since you parted with Weasley. It has been nice to have a... friend... that understands my own comments."

"Severus Snape, did you just call me a friend?"

"I suppose I did. Admit this to anyone and I know 493 different untraceable ways of poisoning you."

"493? You only taught me 492!"

"Well I had to keep one to myself just in case."

The two continued to work together closely the next three years. They had many breakthroughs in their research, and even more failures. Their arguments become legendary in Hogwarts. After a particularly vicious debate, several students within hearing distance had to be sent to the Infirmary for a calming draught. Madam Pomfrey was at a loss when the students refused to take it, mentioning something about poison in Professor Snape's potions. The Headmistress spent several days trying to figure out how to protect her students from the severe arguments before asking for assistance. The Department of Mysteries quietly stepped in and cast heavy Silencing spells in the work areas so that the arguments were no longer public.

And so it was that one day, the final breakthrough was made. As the two stared at the successful potion, neither knew whether to be happy for the success or sad that the work had ended. They spent a few weeks putting the final touches on the potion. During that time, Hermione was contacted by a private company to lead research and development. Surprised at the offer, she met with the company representative. After a pleasant lunch and long walk through Hogsmeade with Blaise Zabini, Chief Operating Officer at Malfoy Enterprises, Ltd., Hermione was very tempted to accept the position. She was flattered at Blaise's request for a date and accepted.

Six months later Hermione was President of Research & Development at Malfoy Enterprises. She had met with Draco Malfoy once before accepting the position and was surprised to discover that it was Severus who had recommended her to Malfoy. Since that time she had continued her correspondence with Severus, who had left Hogwarts and taken over her former position as Head Researcher at the Department of Mysteries, and saw him twice a month at the 'Malfoy Family Dinner'. Draco was the last living Malfoy and chose to surround himself with positive friends. He and Severus were close, and Draco always encouraged Blaise to bring Hermione to the dinners. A steady friendship began between Hermione and Draco, who was trying very hard to live a clean life.

It was during one dinner that Hermione was greeted by Ginny Weasley. Having finally given up on Harry, Ginny began dating Draco, and the two were very happy together. An engagement announcement was expected shortly, and although Hermione was pleased that her new friend Draco was happy, she was not as pleased with his choice. After several uncomfortable dinners, Ginny asked to speak privately with Hermione and attempted to explain why she broke her friendship with Hermione. Many apologies later, Ginny finally asked for a second chance at the friendship. Apparently the Weasleys were not as quick to forgive Draco as Ginny was and still expected her to sit around and wait for Harry to marry her. When they discovered Ginny was involved with Malfoy, the family was not happy. Ginny had little contact with her family and began to understand just what they had done to Hermione those many years before.

After more than eighteen months together, Blaise proposed to Hermione. She happily accepted, and the family dinner planned for that weekend quickly turned into an engagement party. The next six months were spent not just planning their own wedding, but attending Draco and Ginny's wedding and the festivities before. The Weasleys were slowly accepting Draco once they saw how happy the couple was. Hermione had, with approval from Ginny, avoided the showers and parties that Ron was present for, but was unable to avoid Molly. After several rude comments from the Weasley family matron, Hermione finally let loose and told Molly exactly why she had broken up with Ron. When Molly confronted Ron with the story later, she realised that Hermione was telling the truth and quickly apologised to Hermione. Draco and Ginny's wedding went perfectly, and Blaise and Hermione prayed that theirs would go as smoothly.

A/N: This story is complete in three chapters. I am trying a different style of writing so please bear with me. Any ConCrit is very welcome. I fear Severus and Hermione are slightly OOC in this chapter when viewed from the current books. I've made assumptions based on my own (ofttimes negative) perceptions of characters and interpersonal relationships. Hopefully you see potential in a friendship between Severus and Hermione. I think that the two of them together would have some extremely humorous conversations. Thank you!